International

Concerns mount over Chinese electric vehicles posing UK national security risks

Thursday, 8 May 2025 1:05AM UTC

The rise of Chinese-made electric cars in Britain has sparked national security concerns amid fears they could be remotely controlled to disrupt critical infrastructure. Experts and defence firms warn of cyber vulnerabilities as government policies face scrutiny over reliance on foreign technology.

Concerns Over Chinese Electric Vehicles Threaten UK National Security

The landscape of Britain's automotive sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with electric vehicles (EVs) emerging as a focal point of both innovation and concern. The intersection of technology and national security has prompted alarm over the increasing presence of Chinese-manufactured vehicles in the UK market, which poses risks that echo those found in classic heist movies like "The Italian Job."

Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, recently underscored the gravity of the situation by stating, “China could cripple the traffic in London by cutting the controls of, let’s say, 400 electric cars in one go.” This alarming forecast reflects the reality that modern vehicles, acting as computers on wheels, can be remotely manipulated, raising the spectre of a sophisticated cyber-attack on critical infrastructure.

With China's share of the UK's car market exceeding 10% and poised for growth, the implications extend beyond consumer choice to severe security vulnerabilities. The government’s eagerness to fulfil its Net Zero ambitions has resulted in less scrutiny of these vehicles, even as concerns mount regarding the data-gathering potential of connected technology embedded within.

Historical precedents highlight these risks. A notable incident occurred in Ukraine, where Russian forces were impeded from exploiting stolen John Deere vehicles precisely because the manufacturer disabled them remotely. This scenario illustrates not only the fragility of depending on foreign technology for essential services but also the ease with which adversaries can disrupt operations from afar.

The call for caution extends beyond intelligence agencies, with defence contractors warning staff against connecting personal devices to Chinese vehicles. A source from a leading defence firm remarked: “It is safe to assume that every defence supplier is concerned about the tech in Chinese-built cars.” These anxieties have sparked tighter restrictions from the Ministry of Defence on the use of Chinese-made EVs near sensitive military operations, echoing the stringent measures already in place against Huawei technology within the UK's 5G network.

The competitive edge that Chinese EVs hold—partly due to extensive state subsidies—has made them attractive for British consumers. The number of sub-£30,000 EV brands available in the UK has surged from nine to 29 in the past year, thanks to aggressive pricing strategies by firms like BYD and Ora. This influx could see Chinese companies capturing up to 400,000 cars per year by 2030, raising concerns that the automotive sector may be crafted into a Trojan horse by which the Chinese Communist Party can exert influence or control.

Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, has voiced concerns that the consequences of deploying vast numbers of connected EVs could be catastrophic. He declared that “there is no way of stopping them coming under remote control,” pointing out that the tracing and testing capabilities available to regulators simply do not match the scale of the potential threat. This sentiment was corroborated by ongoing discussions in parliamentary circles, where MPs have cautioned that China’s encroachment stretches across multiple sectors, utilising advanced technologies for surveillance and espionage.

The ramifications are not confined to the automotive industry alone. China's control over critical supplies, specifically in battery technology and rare minerals, is a growing concern. The country dominates nearly two-thirds of the global market for cellular modules—the technology that underpins internet connectivity in devices ranging from EVs to smart appliances. Charles Parton, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, argued that “ultimately, you’ve got to ban any Chinese module in any vehicle and you'd have to do it quite quickly,” highlighting the urgent recommendations of experts who stress the necessity of safeguarding national interests.

Amidst this climate of caution, the UK government is set to implement a Cyber Security and Resilience bill aimed at strengthening its cybersecurity framework. However, critics argue that current measures are reactive rather than proactive, allowing for an even greater reliance on vulnerable technologies.

The potential ramifications of failing to address these expansive threats cannot be overstated. The UK must navigate a delicate balance, striving for economic engagement with an aggressive foreign power while safeguarding its critical infrastructure and national security. As technological dependencies grow, so too does the potential for geopolitical tension, and the spectre of a cyber-attack via infiltrated EVs remains a chilling possibility.

In light of escalating tensions and the evolving geopolitical landscape, it is imperative that the UK engages in rigorous debates on technology policy and establishes robust safeguards against unwarranted foreign influence in its automotive market and beyond.

Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – [[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688845/China-cripple-Britain-MI6-Beijing-IAN-WILLIAMS.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490), [[6]](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12353409/Security-fears-invasion-electric-cars-China-experts-warn-remotely-controlled-paralyse-Britain.html)
Paragraph 2 – [[1]](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688845/China-cripple-Britain-MI6-Beijing-IAN-WILLIAMS.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490), [[7]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/30/chinese-electric-car-invasion-paralyse-britain-jim-saker/)
Paragraph 3 – [[2]](https://www.ft.com/content/518e6b5d-068a-4375-a625-87d8c5b422a1), [[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/0855641e-0eb2-4ee4-aada-8a322ba196bc)
Paragraph 4 – [[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/0855641e-0eb2-4ee4-aada-8a322ba196bc), [[4]](https://www.ft.com/content/534eef36-d9ad-4a03-afa1-f87ab03a9b18)
Paragraph 5 – [[5]](https://www.ft.com/content/dbad1edb-8bf7-419d-b9b1-b5aaef542019), [[6]](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12353409/Security-fears-invasion-electric-cars-China-experts-warn-remotely-controlled-paralyse-Britain.html)
Paragraph 6 – [[6]](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12353409/Security-fears-invasion-electric-cars-China-experts-warn-remotely-controlled-paralyse-Britain.html), [[7]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/30/chinese-electric-car-invasion-paralyse-britain-jim-saker/)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14688845/China-cripple-Britain-MI6-Beijing-IAN-WILLIAMS.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ft.com/content/518e6b5d-068a-4375-a625-87d8c5b422a1 - UK MP Graeme Downie has warned that household devices containing Chinese electronics are at risk of remote sabotage, urging the UK to bolster its own manufacturing of cellular modules used in internet-connected devices. Downie highlighted potential threats posed by devices such as smart meters, electric cars, and drones, suggesting that China could exploit them for espionage or disruption. Downie's warnings come amidst broader government concerns over Chinese technology, with the UK already ordering the removal of Huawei components from its 5G network by 2027. The UK Ministry of Defence has also advised against conducting sensitive conversations in Chinese-made electric cars due to potential security risks. Downie, chair of the Coalition on Secure Technology, advocates for greater awareness and investment in UK technology to mitigate these risks. The government plans to introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience bill later this year to strengthen cyber defenses. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed these concerns as unfounded and accused the UK of politicizing economic and technological issues.
https://www.ft.com/content/0855641e-0eb2-4ee4-aada-8a322ba196bc - The UK Ministry of Defence is restricting electric vehicles (EVs) from accessing certain military bases due to fears that Chinese-manufactured components in these cars could be used for espionage. RAF Wyton, home to intelligence operations, is one site where staff have been instructed to avoid parking EVs nearby. Concerns center on Chinese technology found in nearly all EVs, including sensors and battery management systems, which could potentially be exploited for data collection and remote surveillance. Although the government has not issued a centralized ban or disclosed all affected sites for security reasons, individual military sites have implemented stricter controls. The Ministry emphasized that its security guidelines address threats from all vehicles, not just Chinese ones. This move aligns with broader Western apprehension about China's role in critical infrastructure, echoing prior decisions to exclude Huawei from UK telecom networks. Security protocols across the Ministry of Defence now discourage discussing sensitive topics in or near vehicles, regardless of origin, due to potential data leaks. These developments reflect growing caution internationally toward digital surveillance risks linked to smart technology and connected vehicles.
https://www.ft.com/content/534eef36-d9ad-4a03-afa1-f87ab03a9b18 - MI5 is investigating the national security implications of Chinese technology in the UK's energy system, focusing on green technologies such as solar panels and industrial batteries. Concerns revolve around China's dominance in global supply chains crucial to decarbonisation and potential risks including data sharing with the Chinese government and control over strategic assets. The review is part of the UK's broader audit of its relations with China, set to report later this year. The discussion has extended to the Green Volt offshore wind project, where there is debate over the involvement of Chinese company Mingyang. MPs and experts worry about Chinese interference in critical infrastructure, sparking a debate on balancing pragmatic economic relationships with national security. The government has previously intervened to limit Chinese involvement in certain sectors, underscoring an inconsistent approach to Chinese participation in sensitive industries. The need to decarbonise Britain's power sector by 2030 presents a challenge, given the reliance on Chinese supply chains for renewables.
https://www.ft.com/content/dbad1edb-8bf7-419d-b9b1-b5aaef542019 - A UK start-up, Volklec, supported by former Britishvolt investors, plans to build a £1bn gigafactory in collaboration with Chinese supplier Far East Battery. The venture aims to avoid Britishvolt’s failure by securing customer agreements and leveraging Chinese technology. Volklec aims to establish a 10 gigawatt-hour factory capable of creating over 1,000 jobs by 2030. Unlike Britishvolt, which failed due to its premature construction plans, Volklec will initially import production-ready cells from China to quickly generate revenue. The company will begin producing batteries for e-bikes and energy storage this year and aims to supply the automotive, aerospace, and marine sectors by next year. Volklec stresses the importance of customer commitments and localized supply chains before expanding to build a gigafactory. Despite geopolitical tensions, Volklec’s agreement with Far East Battery remains flexible, allowing it to adapt and collaborate with other partners if necessary.
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12353409/Security-fears-invasion-electric-cars-China-experts-warn-remotely-controlled-paralyse-Britain.html - Security fears over an 'invasion' of electric cars from China have emerged as experts warn the vehicles could be remotely controlled to 'paralyse' Britain. Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said Britain faces 'major security issues' from Chinese cars, adding that there is 'no way' of stopping them coming under remote control. In a report set to be shared with car makers and regulators, Prof Saker said: 'The car manufacturer may be in Shanghai and could stop 100,000 to 300,000 cars across Europe, thus paralysing a country.' According to The Telegraph, while regulators are able to test samples of cars for spyware or other security issues, Prof Saker added that checking thousands of vehicles is not possible. As many as 30 new electric car brands are looking into the UK car market, most of them being Chinese. Security fears over an 'invasion' of electric cars from China have emerged as experts warn the vehicles could be remotely controlled to 'paralyse' Britain. Last week the head of Vauxhall-owner Stellantis warned of an 'invasion' of Chinese electric cars. Carlos Tavares claimed that Stellantis faces a difficult scenario in which it must compete with Chinese cars which are less expensive while having to invest billions of pounds into electrification. Prof Saker highlighted a report published this July, in which MPs warned that China has successfully entered every sector of the economy in Britain. Chinese car makers have more access to the battery technology required for electric vehicles (EVs), meaning they can bring vehicles to market quicker. Meanwhile, China is also more dominant in lithium production and refining, according to The Telegraph, owning many of the mines that produce it. Prof Saker warned the UK has not done enough about the threat of China using its dominance in the market for key minerals such as lithium. 'Virtually every country is trying to fight against an overreliance on China, except the UK,' he said.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/30/chinese-electric-car-invasion-paralyse-britain-jim-saker/ - A coming influx of Chinese electric cars represents a security risk as they could be remotely controlled to 'paralyse' Britain, according to the head of the industry’s professional body. Britons face 'major security issues' from Chinese cars, warned Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry. In a report due to be shared with car makers and regulators, Prof Saker said there was 'no way' of stopping Chinese cars coming under remote control. He said: 'The car manufacturer may be in Shanghai and could stop 100,000 to 300,000 cars across Europe thus paralysing a country.' While regulators can test samples of cars for spyware or other security vulnerabilities, testing thousands of vehicles is not feasible, he said. A similar frailty of testing samples allowed Volkswagen to cheat emissions tests ahead of the Dieselgate scandal. Up to 30 new electric vehicle brands are eyeing up the UK car market, most of them Chinese. Companies like BYD and Ora, which already have agreements in place with UK dealers, will be joined by a raft of other car makers including Chery, Dongfeng and Haval. 2004 record exports

Chinese electric vehicles
UK national security
cybersecurity
automotive industry
technology policy